COLUMBIA, Maryland (CNN) – Gunfire erupted in a Columbia, Maryland, shopping mall Saturday morning, leaving at least three people dead, according to the Howard County Police Department’s Twitter account.
Authorities initially reported that an active shooter was on the second floor of the sprawling mall in Columbia in Howard County, according to CNN affiliate WBAL. Local scanner reports had authorities requesting multiple mass casualty units.
One of the bodies was located near a gun and ammunition, according to the Howard County Police Department Twitter account. The identification of the person was unknown.
A 911 call about shots fired at the mall was made at 11:15 a.m., police said.
Images on Twitter reportedly from the scene showed mall employees and customers hiding in a stock room. The mall was on lockdown. Another Twitter image reportedly from the scene showed a bullet-riddled wall.
The Howard County Fire Department on Twitter reported an active shooter situation.
Both the Howard County police and fire departments were on the scene.
The fire department via Twitter advised people to avoid the area.
